MANILA, Philippines — Senate Presiding Officer Francis Escudero demanded direct answers from a Davao City accountant during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Tuesday, while Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo warned that her evasive responses could lead to a contempt citation.
The confrontation centered on Davao City accountant Vingelin Bajan’s hesitation to identify a signature and acknowledge her previous association with accounting firm Ampil, Elises, Ciudadano & Co.
Escudero expressed frustration after Bajan said she could not recall or was unfamiliar with a document bearing her name in the firm's records.
“This is the first time you’ve seen that document. Please answer: yes or no?” Escudero pressed, demanding a straightforward response.
He later said his patience was wearing thin as Bajan struggled to confirm whether she had previously been a partner of the accounting firm.
Bajan eventually acknowledged that she had been part of the firm.
Tulfo likewise criticized the witness for taking several minutes to examine documents before identifying a signature presented to her.
“You know, I’m worried about you. The question is very simple, yet you’re being very evasive and cannot seem to answer it. All I’m asking is whether that is your signature or not. You can’t answer such a simple question. How much more when we get to the harder questions later? I’m sure there will be many,” Tulfo said.
He warned that her failure to answer directly could expose her to contempt proceedings.
“You could be cited for contempt, and I hope that doesn’t happen. We’re getting frustrated. You’ve been very evasive over a very simple question. You keep looking through the pages when your signature is right there in front of you,” he added.
Bajan apologized, explaining that she was merely trying to refresh her memory because the documents were old.
Tulfo also questioned whether the impeachment court could cite witnesses for contempt over conduct he considered disrespectful to the proceedings.
“From what I can see, they have no respect for the impeachment court. They disregard the fact that we can take action against them, even as they pretend not to know anything and laugh about it,” he said.
Private prosecutor Mae Divinagracia separately raised concerns about Bajan's conduct, asking the court to remind her not to look toward defense lawyers while answering questions.
Bajan was presented by defense lawyer Lindon Bacquel as the third defense witness for Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which concerns allegations of unexplained wealth.
